Darrell Davis: Ex-Rider should be out of chances

Innocent or guilty, Justin Cox’s career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders should be over.

His lawyer has asked for an early trial because Cox is unemployed. That hints to the notion they’re hoping Cox will be found not guilty of domestic violence and try to re-join the Riders.

Cox has pleaded not guilty. The trial date is May 29, one day after the Riders open their 2017 training camp.

The Roughriders acted properly when they released the defensive back immediately after he was charged with assault causing bodily harm against a 23-year-old woman. The CFL followed by saying no other team could sign Cox.

It’s the third time Cox has been arrested for domestic violence; the first was during his college career and the second convinced the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs to dump him.

Somebody arrested three times for domestic violence isn’t a victim of circumstances. These aren’t just bad coincidences. The Roughriders, hopefully, are smart enough to not want someone playing for them who has such a disconcerting past.